A new Colombian Open champion is assured after Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema beat 2-time champion Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the semi-finals to set up a final against Egypt’s Mohamed El Shorbagy (pic le) in Bogota. Colombian No1 Rodriguez, the defending champion based in Bogota, was bidding to make the final of his country’s premier event for the 4th time since 2006. But 2nd seed Anjema, the world No12, was too strong for the recently-injured 25-year-old 4th seed, winning 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7 in 57 minutes. El Shorbagy, the top seed competing in his 1st event in Colombia, faced 3rd seed Alister Walker (pic ri), the former Englishman playing in his first championship since taking on the country of his birth, Botswana. It was the pair’s first meeting, with Shorbagy, the world No9, surviving the loss of the 2nd game, and two tie-break games, to win 11-7, 4-11, 12-10, 12-10 in 53 minutes.
